Automatic draining mbans for storage tanks



Aug. 10 1925. 1,595,525

H. S. ELLIS AUTOMATIC DRAINING MEANS FOR STORAGE TANKS Filed Jan. 15, 1926 A TTORNEY. I

Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

HARLEY S. ELLIS, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

AUTOMATIC DRAINING MEANS FOR STORAGE TANKS.

Application filed January 13, 1928.

This invention relates to an automatic draining means for oil storagereservoirs, and more particularly to a mechanical assembly rranged to be installed interiorly of a storage tank for oils and other inflammable liquids, and be inoperative, except in cases of emergency such as lire.

The invention. further eomprehends an arrangemcnt of the character specified which includes in its assembly, certain fusible parts which are susceptible to the action of heat and by reason of which, an automaticrelease of the fluid in the tank is accon1- plished to forestall the depreciating action of the fire upon the fluid.

A prominent characteristic of the invention resides in its compact and durable assembly, economical. operation and manufac ture, as well as the obvious advantage derived through its concealment interiorly of the tank, none of the operative parts thereof being exposed exteriorly of the tank.

The invention includes other objects and advantages, both in structure and function, as well as certain novel. features of construction and arrangement of parts, to which specific reference will be made in the following detail description, facilitated by the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 represents a view in vertlcal elevation, showing the invention in operative position within a tank of the usual design.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the assembly, and

Figure 3 is a detail view of the fusible release to open the valve.

The use of fusible metals in connection with automatic fire extinguishing valves and drains is known to have been heretofore advanced. However, as particularly applied to tanks for combustible liquids, some of the devices of this character, installled to be accessible exteriorly of the tank, have developed to be of no value when in greatest need, due to possible inoperativeness through tampering.

The present invention, by reason of its concealed character, as well as its positive assembly, is thoroughly immured from trespassers, and positive operation in cases of emergency is assured.

In proceeding with the foregoing in View, the invention consists primarily, in combi nation with the usual storage tank; of prefera-bly a slidable cover 2, arranged to slid- Serial No. 81,084.

ably cover a fluid release opening 3 in the floor of the tank. This cover is held in place by a pair of slides 4, conforming over the edges of the door.

To this door, an eyelet link 5 is secured as shown, to which a chain or other flexible line 6, is applied. This line passes through a pulley 7 bolted likewise to the floor of the tank, and upward, where it is secured to a lever 8, pivotally supported upon a standard 9, rigidly mounted upon the tank floor.

Adjacent the top of the tank 1, a bracket 10 is bolted to the wall thereof, and revolubly supports a pulley 11, around which a chain 12 or its equivalent passes, the latter holding normally in suspension, a similar pulley 13. From this latter pulley, a weight 14 or proportionate size is suspended from a U-shaped clamp 15, embracing the axis of said pulley. To this clamp also, the free end of the lever 8 is secured, as shown.

At any location in the length of the chain- 12, a link of fusible metal 16 is incorporated, as illustrated in detail in Figure 3, and housed by a concave receptacle 17 having a covering 18, thereabove. At right angles to the chain 12, a bar 19 is secured thereto, and provided with floats 20 on each of its ends, the latter consisting of hollow metal balls. This latter assembly enables the fusible link 16 to be maintained at all times on the surface of the fluid, irrespective of the quantity of liquid contained within the tank.

iVit-hin the receptacle 17, a quantity of highly inflammable liquid, such as turpentine or its equivalent, is maintained, to insure instantaneous fusibility of the link 16 in case of fire. Turpentine, in view of its lasting qualities under varied weather condi tions, makes the same very efficient as a fuse for this purpose.

It is readily apparent from the drawings, that the floats 20, riding upon the fluid, will hold the fusible link 16 always in a position accessible to the flames in event the liquid catches fire. Immediately upon melting the fuse, the endless chain 12 is separated, causing the weight 14 to fall upon the floor of the tank 1. This action tends to pivot the lever 8, thereby pullling the chain 6 to move the door 4: from its position over the drain 3, permitting the fluid contents of the tank to be drained off in advance of the flames. Suitable packing means 21 has beeen provided between the cover 4t and the floor of the tank to prevent possible leakage.

The structure described may be installed in one or a series of tanks in a field, using a common drainage reservoir for the reception of fluid from the series of tanks in event of a universal fire.

The invention has been described specifically to more comprehensively disclose the invention, and it should be understood that certain minor changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

1. An automatic draining means for fluid storage tanks including in'combination with said tank, having a fluid outlet, an endless chain entrained about pulleys vertically alined interiorly of said tank, the lower of said pulleys being in suspension; a fusible link incorporated on the length of said chain, having-means therewith for continuously supporting the same on the surface of the tank contents; weight means suspended from said lower pulley, and means arranged to be actuated by said weight means, to allow the contents of said tank to pass through the outlet upon melting said fusible link.

An automatic draining means for oil tanks, including in combination with a tank having a fluid outlet, a slidable door covering said outlet; pulleys arranged. vertically on said tank; an endless chain entrained about said pulleys, one of the links thereof constructed of fusible metal; a housing for said link arranged to. receive inflammable liquid; means to hold said link constantly on the surface of the fluid contents of said tank; a weight supported by said endless chain, and means disposed to be actuated by the falling of said weight to move said door to release the liquid from said tank upon melting said fusible link.

3. An automatic drainingv means for tanks containing inflammable liquids, comprising in combination with the tank having a fluid outlet, a door covering said outlet; an endless flexible member entrained about pulleys disposed in said tank in vertical alinement; a fusible link in said flexible member; means to constantly hold said fusible link on the surface of the fluid contents of said tank; and a weight suspended by said endless flexible member to effect displacement of said door when the fusible link is melted to separate the chain.

at. A d 'aining means for tanks containing inflammable fluids, in combination with a tank having a fluid outlet, a slidable cover for said outlet; means for automatically moving said cover from the outlet; said means comprising an endless flexible member entrained about vertically alined pulleys in said tank, the lower of said pulleys being held in suspension by said flexible member; a fusible link in said flexible member; means to normally maintain the link on' the surface of the contents of said tank;

a weight suspended from said lower pulley, I

and a lever means arranged by the action of said weight to move door when said fusible link'is melted.

A heat actuating draining means for oil storage tanks, comprising in combination with a tank having an outlet, a cover for said outlet; means to cause movement of said cover from the outlet in case of fire, said means comprising an endless flexible line vertically revoluble in said tank, having fusible link in the body thereof; means to cause said link to ride upon the surface of the fluid contents of said tank; a weight held in suspension by said flexible line, and means to cause said cover to move from the outlet of said tank by the dropping action of said weight, when the said fusible line is melted.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HARLEY S. ELLIS.

to be pivoted i the '1 

